Oklahoma’s season is officially done.
Sunday, the Sooners were left out of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Selection Committee ranked OU as the first team out of the 68-team field that saw five bids to the Big Dance stolen over the past week.
Oklahoma’s next step won’t be in the NIT, however.
“First and foremost, I loved coaching this group of young men and standing with them as they battled night after night,” OU coach Porter Moser said in a statement on X. “I am devastated for these young men who were left out of the NCAA Tournament, despite having a resume and metrics worthy of being in the field. At a later time, I will have more to say about our body of work and the selection process.
“Collectively, in consultation with our athletes, staff and administration, we have respectfully declined an invitation to participate in the NIT. This decision, though difficult, was made with the well-being of our student-athletes as the top priority.”
Thanks for a great season, Sooner Nation.
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) March 18, 2024
Sights set on 2024-25. pic.twitter.com/EZZyTcERSr
With no more contests on the horizon this year, Moser will now shift his focus to getting the program moving in the right direction as Oklahoma heads to the Southeastern Conference.
Every one of this year’s players but Rivaldo Soares, Le’Tre Darthard and Maks Klanjscek are eligible to return next year.
The 2024-25 season will be crucial for Moser, who has missed three-straight NCAA Tournaments at Oklahoma.
Dave Bliss was the last OU coach who missed the tournament in three consecutive seasons, spanning 1976-1978.
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